Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-10
HE HELPED THE KING.

Ey Being Faithful in a Small Thing a
Shepherd Eoy Became Greatly Hon
cred.
There was little shepherd-boy who
kept his sheep down in a lonely valley.
War was raging in the land, and the
boy would have liked to 90 out and
fight against the enemy. but he was too
young. He was good boy. careful
Of his sheep and kind TO his dog. and
active and industrious at his work:
and ut home he was obedient and gen
tie, and always ready to do good
turn for any one But. though he liked
his work. he would have liked better TO
fight. and he was very sorry that h.,
could not be Il soldier One day a
long column of loose soldiers, with
bright red coats and flashing helmets.
and trumpets sounding. rode through
the valley on their way to battle.
Among them was young soldier, Il
co,---l of the shepherd-boy, and not
many years older The boy called to
him. and oade him goodbye. and as
the soldiers Disappeared at the end of
the valley, he said 10 himself: 81
wish were as old rs my
cousin. that / might 90 out to
fight the Kings battles. He viii risk
his life TO help the King. and, may be,
he may do something great. and help
TO win battle and save orr country:
bat can do nothing but stay here and
watch few sheep. ! wish ! could do
something TO help the King" As he
said these words pigeon came came
hurriedly flying close over his head.
The boy looked up. and there was n
hawk chasing after her. The poor bird
flew round and round. and here and
there, and managed to escape rs far as
the next meadow: but she was close
followed at every turn by the hungry
hawk. and it was clear that she would
be caught in minute. if no help came.
There was no time to 90 round BIZ the
gate. so in a moment the boy jumped
on a high stonc-wall that parted the
two meadows: it was a high wall, and
there was Il steep, rough rock on the
other side. The jump was a dangerous
one, but without moments hesitation
the brave lad leaped down. and
the next moment-though he sprain-
ell his foot and fell. striking one
cheek against sharp edge in the
rock-he was up again on his feet.
and iiinging his crook at the hawk
he stopped him just in time to save the
poor trembling pigeon. Then he took
APP the pigeon. more dead than alive,
and stroked it gently. In a few min
utes it seemed to gain strength and
courage. Meantime, the shepherd-boy.
limping as he went, carried the bird
round to the meadow where he was
keeping his sheep. And now. while he
was feeding the pigeon with some bread
crumbs it came into his mind: ''What
am to do with this pretty bird?" At
1rst he said: Twill take it home to my
brothers and sisters '.How pleased
they will bc!' Then it occurred to
him: Perhaps the pigeon belongs to
some one else. Indeed it must. for it 5
not wild wood-pigeon, but tame
one; and besides. some one has tied a
silk thread and a piece of paper round
its neck But then. have not saved it:
1t would have been killed bat for me.
Surely it belongs to me. And besides.
if l let 1t 90, may not another hawk kill
it?' All this he thought to himself. and
part of it he spoke aloud. But when
he had finished. his conscience told hin,
that he ought not to keep the pigeon
it was very hard to let it so, but it was
right. SO he kissed the pigeon and
said: Goodbye; go home to youl
master who gave You yonr little silk
collar"
Away few the pigeon straight toward
a castle at the top of a hill a long way
off. and at the same time awa- galloped
a man on horseback down in the deel
lane that ran by the side of the meadow
The boy wondered for minute who il
was that had been quietly waiting il
the lane, but soon he forgo. all about
that. Now, You must know that this
man who galloped off when the pigeon
flew away was no other than the King
The King had been riding 4 little be
hind his soldiers, and had heard all ths
shepherd boys complaints, and how h,
wanted TO do something to help th'
King. He had also noticed how
the brave boy had jumped from
the top of high wall ant
had saved the pigeon. Moreover
just as the pigeon was rising t.
1ly away, he had noticed the little piec,
of paper tied by TIE silk thread round
the pigeons neck. He had not noticed
this while the bird was in the boy,
hand, but when it began to flap it
wings, he caught sight of it. and thel
he knew at once that it was one of hi
own carrier pigeons bringing note t.